Johnny Depp through the years

Depp, born June 9, 1963, in Owensboro, Ky., made his film debut in a supporting role in "A Nightmare on Elm Street" in 1984.

He also had a small part as the soldier, Lerner, in director Oliver Stone's 1986 Best Picture Oscar winner, "Platoon."

Depp's big break came with a starring role as Officer Tom Hanson in the television drama "21 Jump Street," from 1987-1990.

Johnny Depp's first film with his frequent collaborator, director Tim Burton, came in 1990 with the title role in "Edward Scissorhands."

Johnny Depp's second film with Burton came in 1994 with the title role in "Ed Wood." The biopic about the famed D-movie director also starred Martin Landau, pictured right, who won an Oscar for playing horror film icon Bela Lugosi.

In 1994, Johnny Depp starred in the drama "Don Juan De Marco."

The following year saw him tackle the thriller "Nick of Time," which tried the real-time gimmick six years before "24" came along.